Nearby Theaters

The three cinema screens were located in the vast Barbican Centre arts complex and are owned by the Corporation of the City of London. Construction began in 1971 and it was opened in 1982.

The largest screen Cinema 1 is located on level-2 and has a seating capacity of 288. There was a slightly smaller screen Cinema 2 seating 255 located on level-4, where there was also a small studio Cinema 3 (seating capacity not known). Progamming ranges from the latest release films to art house independent releases and film festivals.

In 2005 a major renovation of the complex was completed. The entire Barbican Arts Centre, including the cinemas are designated a Grade II Listed building status by English Heritage.

In 2012, the two smaller cinemas were closed. Two new cinemas were opened on nearby Beech Street at the corner of Whitecross Street, and were opened in November 2012 as Barbican Cinemas 2 & 3. The original main cinema in the Barbican Centre was re-named Barbican Cinema 1.

Great to see the renovation at the Barbican. It really needed it as it had started to look terribly tired in the last few years and i wondered if it was in its last days. The programe and the programe presentation here is first class, well worth a visit.